초록 ▼

An apparatus for generating electricity from fluid currents comprises a continuous loop structure and at least one blade movably mounted relative to the continuous loop structure and extending in a direction radially outward relative to the continuous loop structure, the at least one blade being con

An apparatus for generating electricity from fluid currents comprises a continuous loop structure and at least one blade movably mounted relative to the continuous loop structure and extending in a direction radially outward relative to the continuous loop structure, the at least one blade being configured to rotate about an axis of the continuous loop structure. The at least one blade may be configured to interact with fluid currents moving in a direction approximately parallel to the axis of the continuous loop structure to rotate the at least one blade about the axis of the continuous loop structure. At least a portion of the least one blade may intersect a plane of the continuous loop structure that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the continuous loop structure. Rotation of the at least one blade may generate electrical energy.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. An apparatus for generating electricity from fluid currents, comprising: a continuous loop structure; at least one blade movably mounted relative to the continuous loop structure and extending in a direction radially outward relative to the continuous loop structure, the at least one b

We claim: 1. An apparatus for generating electricity from fluid currents, comprising: a continuous loop structure; at least one blade movably mounted relative to the continuous loop structure and extending in a direction radially outward relative to the continuous loop structure, the at least one blade being configured to rotate about an axis of the continuous loop structure, wherein the at least one blade is configured to interact with fluid currents moving in a direction approximately parallel to the axis of the continuous loop structure to rotate the at least one blade about the axis of the continuous loop structure, wherein at least a portion of the least one blade intersects a plane of the continuous loop structure that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the continuous loop structure, and wherein rotation of the at least one blade generates electrical energy. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second continuous structure having substantially the same shape as the continuous loop structure, wherein the second continuous structure is configured to rotate about the axis of the continuous loop structure. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one blade is mounted relative to the second continuous structure so as to rotate with the second continuous structure. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one blade extends in a direction radially outwardly relative to the second continuous structure. 5. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least one bearing mechanism configured to support and guide rotation of the at least one blade and second continuous structure about the axis of the continuous loop structure. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one bearing mechanism comprises wheels, magnetic levitation technology, or a combination thereof. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the continuous loop structure comprises a track. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one bearing mechanism configured to movably mount the at least one blade relative to the continuous loop structure. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one bearing mechanism comprises wheels, magnetic levitation technology, or a combination of wheels and magnetic levitation technology. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one of a conductor and magnets being configured to rotate relative to the continuous loop structure with the at least one blade and the other of the conductor and magnets being mounted to the continuous loop structure, wherein the conductor is at least sometimes within the magnetic field of the magnets during rotation of the at least one blade about the axis of the continuous loop structure. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to be suspended from a floating device for submersion in a body of fluid. 12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: magnets and a conductor configured to move relative to each other to generate electricity during rotation of the at least one blade about the axis. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the continuous loop structure comprises a track and at least one blade is attached to a trolley configured to move along the track. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional blade extending in a direction inwardly relative to the continuous loop structure. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one blade and the at least one additional blade are asymmetric about the continuous loop structure. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one blade and the at least one additional blade have differing dimensions. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the length of the at least one blade is greater than the length of the at least one additional blade. 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one blade and the at least one additional blade are connected to each other. 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an orientation of the at least one blade is adjustable. 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to be placed in a liquid and interact with currents in the liquid to generate electricity. 21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the continuous loop structure has on of a circular and elliptical configuration. 22. A method for generating electricity from fluid currents, the method comprising: positioning in a fluid a system comprising a continuous loop structure and at least one blade movably mounted and extending in a direction radially outward relative to the continuous loop structure, at least a portion of the least one blade intersecting a plane of the continuous loop structure that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the continuous loop structure; orienting the system such that fluid moving in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the continuous loop structure interacts with the at least one blade to move the at least one blade relative to the continuous loop structure and rotate the at lease one blade about the axis of the continuous loop structure; and converting movement of the at least one blade as it rotates about the axis to electrical energy. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the positioning in fluid comprises positioning in a liquid. 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising guiding movement of the at least one blade relative to the continuous loop structure via at least one bearing mechanism. 25. The method of claim 22, wherein guiding the movement of the at least one blade relative to the continuous loop structure via at least one bearing mechanism comprises guiding the movement of the at least one blade relative to the continuous loop structure via wheels, magnetic levitation technology, or a combination thereof. 26. The method of claim 22, wherein positioning the system in the fluid comprises positioning a system further comprising a second continuous structure having substantially the same shape as the continuous loop structure and configured to rotate about the axis of the continuous loop structure. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein orienting the system comprises orienting the system such that the at least one blade and the second continuous structure rotate together about the axis of the continuous loop structure. 28. The method of claim 22, further comprising adjusting an orientation of the at least one blade. 29. The method of claim 22, wherein positioning the system in the fluid comprises positioning a system further comprising at least one additional blade extending in a direction radially inward relative to the continuous loop structure. 30. The method of claim 22, wherein the movement of the at least one blade causes relative motion of magnets and a conductor to generate electrical energy. 31. The method of claim 22, wherein positioning the system in fluid further comprises supporting the system via a floating structure.